SECOND HALF EFFORT LIFTS JACKS OVER TOMMIES

Thursday, February 6

Brookings, S.D.

7 p.m.

South Dakota State University

16-9,7-3Summit League

102

St. Thomas

18-7,8-2Summit League

St. Thomas (MN)

South Dakota St.

102

Owen Larson

2/6/2025 10:58:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Andrew Pedersen

BROOKINGS, S.D. – South Dakota State shot over 66% from the field in the second half to pull away from St. Thomas, 102-86, in First Bank & Trust Arena on Thursday.

The Jackrabbits trailed by nine in early minutes of the contest. SDSU took its first lead at 20-19 behind a Damon Wilkinson hook shot at the 11 minute-, 6-second mark of the first half. The Jacks used an 8-0 run to push their advantage to 28-21, their largest edge of the opening half, but the Tommies rallied back.

A nine-point scoring stretch put St. Thomas back on top. The Tommies took a 42-41 lead into halftime.

The second half began with the Jackrabbits scoring the first four points with Kalen Garry and Joe Sayler making back-to-back layups. The score was tied twice before a Matthew Mors layup propel SDSU ahead, 52-50. The Jackrabbits never allowed the Tommies to tie the score, or re-take the lead, again.

St. Thomas cut the deficit to a single possession twice, however SDSU staved off a Tommies comeback attempt.

The Jackrabbits extended their lead to double digits for the first time with just over seven minutes to play. SDSU led by as many as 19 points before closing out the 16-point victory. The defeat was the largest for the Tommies this season.

South Dakota State eventually outshot St. Thomas 59.6-48.3% from the field after holding the Tommies to 40% in the second half. SDSU shot a season-best 52.6% (10-19) from 3-point range while holding St. Thomas to 31.8%.

The Jackrabbits improved to 16-9 overall and 7-3 in Summit League action. The Tommies fell to 18-7 (8-2).

NOTES

South Dakota State had five players score in double digits. Owen Larson recorded career highs in points (22) and rebounds (10) for his first double-double of his career. He was 7-for-8 from the field shooting.
Sayler (16), Garry (15), Mors (13) and Wilkinson (10) followed Larson in scoring. Garry had a team-high four assists. Stoney Hadnot scored eight points, while Jaden Jackson recorded seven while playing his personal-high 20 minutes during conference play.
Six Tommies scored in double digits. Drake Dobbs had a game-hiigh 23 points. He was followed by Miles Barnstable (14), Kendall Blue (13), Nolan Minessale (12), Ryan Dufault (10) and Carter Bjerke (10). Blue had four assists for St. Thomas while the team combined for 10 steals.
SDSU finished with a 38-22 rebounding edge. The Jacks went 24-for-30 (80%) at the charity stripe while the Tommies were 21 of 23 (91.3%).

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits have a week between games. SDSU is back in First Bank & Trust Arena on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. when it hosts Omaha.

-GoJacks.com-